Book picks similar to
The Return by A.L. Parks


contemporary-romance
romance
freebie
holiday

Defying Fate


Heidi Lis - 2015
    There is no cheating and is not a cliffhanger. There is an HEA. Sometimes love can turn ugly.Sometimes love can hurt. Sometimes the best thing to do is escape! Leaving everything behind Izzy Parker escaped the hell that had been her life. Driving as far west as she could, to get away from her evil past she ended up in Washington State. Izzy’s new life is turned upside down when she meets her Harley-riding neighbor Braxton Ryles. Larger than life Braxton is a biker with a mouth to go with it.. Living and loving hard, the only thing that means anything to him is his daughter Eve. Upon hearing they had a new neighbor move in, his curiosity gets the better of him when his daughter won’t stop talking about her. The instant their eyes meet, chemistry quickly turns into desire. His sense of humor and her blushing tendencies seem to sizzle whenever they are together. The only problem is they both have troubled pasts, evil ex's that want to rip their new found happiness apart. One-ex wants revenge; the other seeks vengeance. What happens when their new found love collides with the ones who threaten to take it all away? Can love survive? Or will their pasts burn their dreams of a future to ashes? Love will be tested, hearts will break, and the horrors of the past will reveal a secret Izzy is desperate to keep hidden. **This book is intended for mature audiences.**Warning: Recommended for readers 18+ due to language, extremely hot and explicit sexual situations and graphic violence. There are scenes of domestic violence.

Proxy Bride


Katy Paige - 2019
    But when these two unlikely proxies end up missing their appointment with the judge, they're forced to spend a long weekend together.Despite their differences, they find themselves drawn to each other: Sam finds Jenny's unaffected wholesomeness refreshing, and Sam's gentle teasing fills Jenny with a longing she has never known.But when a supermodel ex, a very handsome principal, and three over-protective older brothers start meddling, will our sweet country mouse and slick city mouse find a path that leads to happily-ever-after?Set against the snowy backdrop of Gardiner, Montana, Proxy Bride is the perfect holiday read for fans of hot chocolate, warm gingerbread, and the magic of Hallmark Christmas movies!

Can't Stop Loving You


Peggy Webb - 1995
    When she walked out of their marriage without an explanation, he swore he’d never play another role with her, in the bedroom or otherwise. But Fate brings them together to reprise their roles in The Taming of the Shrew, and the sparks begin to fly. Laugh – and cry – as the famous and lively lovers try to untangle a web of misunderstanding and find their way back to the place where they belong.

Coming Up Roses


Staci Hart - 2019
    Maybe it’s the day-to-day grind. Maybe it’s that client who never knows what they want, or the guy who always cooks fish in the microwave.But not me. I love every corner of the Longbourne Flower Shop, every flower, every petal, every stem. I love the greenhouse, and I love Mrs. Bennet, my boss. I love creating, and I love being a florist. I don’t hate anything at all.Except for Luke Bennet.The Bennet brothers have come home to help their mom save the flower shop, and Luke is at the helm. His smile tells a tale of lust, loose and easy. He moves with the grace of a predator, feral and wild. A thing unbridled, without rules or constraint. When he comes home to save Longbourne, I almost can’t be mad at him. Almost.He doesn’t remember that night I’ll never forget. That kiss, touched with whiskey and fire. It branded me like a red-hot iron. But it meant nothing to him.Everyone hates part of their job, and I hate Luke Bennet.Because if I don’t, I’ll fall in love with him.

Memories


Deanna Lynn Sletten - 2012
    He tried putting his life back together, but found civilian life difficult after all he'd experienced in Nam. Raising his young daughter, Vanessa, by himself after his wife left, he found it difficult to commit to one job or one woman for any length of time. Then he met a young woman who made him feel good about himself again and who fell in love with Vanessa as well. But a life-changing event occurred and he had to choose between his past and the present. He chose to leave without a word to the young woman, believing he was doing what was best for her. Now, years later, she has walked back into his life and he believes they may have a second chance at love-except she hates him and he doesn't understand why.Danielle Westerly fell in love when she was only eighteen and her heart was broken when he left her without a word. Her heartache was increased when she made a fateful decision that would alter her future, and she blamed him for her loss. Years later, she is single and has built up a successful career when she accidently runs into the man who was responsible for her past pain. Yet, their chemistry is undeniable. Can Dani give up her anger and let go of the pain of the past and fall in love again with the man she has hated all these years?Dani and Michael share a journey of heartache, loss and painful memories which threaten to keep them apart. Can they forgive the past and finally find love again?What readers are saying about Memories:"I was mesmerized by this story from the beginning - an emotionally-charged story which had me wondering what would happen as each chapter unfolded." -Norma Budden, Author"Sletten is definitely a rising star with her work, move over Danielle Steel, you have company." -Pat Kyle, Reader"I won't compare her to Nicholas Sparks (one of my favorites) because I believe she is even better! Very well written and engaging." -Billie Jo Copas, Reader

Where I End


Michelle Dare - 2017
    Arrogant. Condescending. Cruel.All words I'd used to label him. Exactly what I’d always believed he was. All that changed one spring morning when I realized I didn't know the man behind the facade at all.Angry. Desperate. Broken. Mine.All words I'd use to define him after I interfered. Once our eyes locked, I was all in. There was no turning back. He tried to push me away, but I refused to let him go. I was determined to save him. What I didn't expect was that he would save me, too.CyI was so close to ending my misery. Mere seconds away. Then she stumbled upon our argument, and I changed my plans. She wasn't supposed to be there. She knew too much. Even with my entire world burning down around me, she wouldn't walk away.I’ve always been on my own. No one had ever fought for me before. Why should anyone start now? But she did, no matter how much I tried to stop her. I knew I was nothing, unworthy of her, but she was persistent. Once she got under my skin, I couldn't let her go, because where I end, she begins.

Christmas with the Sheriff


Victoria James - 2016
    Returning is hard, but keeping the devastating secret about her late husband is even harder. Her place isn't in Big Sky Country any longer...but the more time she spends with the irresistible Sheriff who saved her once before, and his adorable little daughter, the more Julia starts wishing she could let go of the past and start a new life. Single dad and county Sheriff Chase Donovan had been secretly in love with his best friend's wife for years. But after her traumatic loss he knew Julia needed to get away from Shadow Creek, even though helping her leave was the last thing he wanted to do. Now she's home and he doesn't intend to lose her a second time. Chase is going to prove to Julia just how good they can be together this Christmas...and forever.

A Royal Christmas Gift


Luann McLane - 2015
    To protect his people, he flees to Alabama and poses as Nick Worth, an inspector for the National Historical Society.Anna Lee is floored when Nick Worth shows up on her doorstep to give her grant money to restore her home. She’s charmed by the handsome inspector with his European accent and takes him up on his offer. The two week restoration project turns into something much more, but Nick fears that his presence could put his southern beauty in danger.As Christmas Eve approaches Nicholas must decide if he can put the woman he loves at risk or disappear from her life forever…

When We Left


Elena Aitken
    He needs her to see how he’s changed. Can time really heal everything and make a second chance at love possible? Reeling from a painful divorce, and with a teenager in town, Cam’s returned to her hometown to heal. Not only is Timber Creek the only place that’s ever felt like home, her best friends are there...and the first boy she ever really loved. Evan has only ever loved one woman. Sixteen years ago he knew he wasn’t good enough for her, but now she’s back, and time has a way of changing things.Cam’s got her hands full trying to come to grips with her new life. The last thing she needs is to get involved with Evan again. But their attraction is impossible to ignore, and the connection that existed between them so many years ago is still very much alive.This could be the second chance they’ve always wanted, but there are years of hurt and misunderstandings between them. Never mind the truth of the past and the reality of the present that could once again threaten to pull them apart. This time for good.

Playing at Forever


Michelle Brewer - 2013
    There, he finds Penny Lang—beautiful as ever, but struggling with her own problems. Sure, she had the restaurant she’d always dreamed of, but the cost had been high—and it had included her marriage. Now, her ex is threatening to take it all away from her.With the two of them so close to losing everything they have worked so hard for, it only seems natural that they help each other out. Tommy’s image is in need of some refreshing and Penny is just the girl for the job. If Penny acts as if she and Tommy are together for the long-haul, Tommy will make sure Penny keeps her restaurant.Simple enough in thought, but as the line between reality and fiction blurs, the two of them are forced to decide…how much of it is really just an act?

Take Me Home


Alison Foster - 2015
    This is not that kind of Christmas story. Well, there is kind of this big beastly creature in almost a blizzard, but that’s Tanner, the brutish muscle cake of a bodyguard that my father sends after me whenever I try to disappear. I hate Tanner except when he gets too close and then everything goes haywire a little, like the time he tracked me down in a remote Canadian motel with the snow falling outside and the heat rising inside. He tried to drag me back home for the holidays on this mega road trip, but things got weird and kinda strangely awesome, but that can’t happen because my father will literally kill us both. It’s that kind of Christmas story. *This novelette is a Christmas story featuring Tanner Hayes, the bodyguard from Scandal*

Limits of Destiny


Sharlyn G. Branson - 2015
    Still, she feels unhappy and depressed because she’s never managed to fall in love.But this quickly changes. At a birthday party, she meets the most eligible bachelor in Switzerland - the young and incredibly ambitious multimillionaire Alexander Kraftberg.Despite her friend’s warnings against getting involved with him due to his notoriety as a big womanizer, the two begin a love affair full of great passion and powerful sexual attraction.However, their future is threatened by Alexander’s depraved and dark past.Upon finding out about his lifestyle, Alexia is shocked. She begins to feel torn and terribly insecure…

The Casual Rule


A.C. Netzel - 2014
    She has a job she loves in publishing and shares an apartment in the Village with her lifelong best friend, Allie. Following a bad break-up, Julia swears off of men and relationships, until she meets Ben Martin, an up and coming author who is smart, sexy and very easy on the eyes. Fueled by their mutual attraction, close working relationship and fear of relationships, Julia and Ben embark on a purely physical affair, following the Casual Rule. As they bring each other further into their lives, their casual status blurs. Can she keep sex and love separate or will feelings take hold and Julia get her heart broken again?A little sweet, a little smutty, a little snarky.Recommended for readers 18+ due to sexual references and sex scenes**CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE***

Drowning


Rachel Firasek - 2013
    She's a party girl that doesn't believe in love until she meets a man that only writes about it.Seth James escaped his overbearing father and moved into one of the James family's vacant condos, hoping to create the music he loves in peace. But the fragile calm he's envisioned shatters when a tiny woman with a world full of energy bounces out of the elevator and nearly takes him out.With the patience of a saint, Seth seeks the dark that keeps Alice from enjoying life. He challenges her to exorcise the demons in her past in order to discover the true meaning of love. But when the walls fall down, the hidden deceptions will bare the ugly truth about a woman drowning in sorrow and a man who may not know how to be her hero.

Must Love Mistletoe


Christie Ridgway - 2006
    But now her hometown's chief supplier of rooftop Rudolphs and treetop angels is in danger of going under--it's up to Bailey to save the shop.She has it all planned: She'll arrive on December 1 and be gone by Christmas. Plus there's always spiked eggnog to ease the pain. But "Humbug" Bailey's not the only one home for the holidays. Finn Jacobson--legendary local bad boy-turned-Secret Service agent "and" Bailey's long-lost high-school sweetheart--is once again the boy next door. Only this time he's "all grown up," and the sparks are flying faster and hotter than ever!Bailey believes in true love about as much as she believes in Santa Claus. But as the holiday draws closer, she's starting to think about one thing she'd like to find under her tree . . .